Koppal District, Karnataka
Location: Koppal district is located in the northern part of Karnataka. It shares border with Bagalkot in the north, Raichur in the north and north – east, Bellary in the east and south east, Gadag district in the west.
District Headquarter: Koppal
Distance: Koppal around 380 km from Bangalore.
Journey time: 10 hrs by bus, around 12 hrs
How to reach there: By KSRTC bus, train or private vehicle.
Route: Bangalore – Tumkur – Chitradurga – Hospet – Koppal
Where to stay:
1. Hotel Sarvesh,
Vidhyaranya Road, Gangavathi
Phone: 91-8533-330912
2. Hotel Sreemata
Hospet Road, Koppal
Where to eat: Try local eatries.
Language spoken: Kannada, Hindi is understood
Koppal earlier known as Kopana Nagara. Koppal was carved out of Raichur district. Located on the left bank of Hirehalla, a tributary of river Tungabhadra and on the other sides surrounded by rocks.
What to see:
1. Gavisiddeshwara Temple
2. Malemalleshwara Temple
3. Hulikere: Just a lake nothing much to see
4. Ashok Shilashasana: This are two Ashokan inscriptions at Palkigundu and Gavimatha.
5. Kamaan (entrance of old city)
6. SannaKere: Just a lake nothing much to see
7. Anegundi: Anegundi located on the other side of hampi is even older than Hampi. It was a highly developed trade and cultural center before being destroyed by confederacy of Muslim kings.One can see here palace, temples and fort.
8. Itagi Mahadeva temple: Mahadeva temple located in Itagi in Yelburga taluk of Koppal district. It was built by the Badami Chalukyas in 1112 AD. Mahadeva is another name of Lord Shiva. Before building this temple a prototype was made in the form of Amrtesvara Temple in Annigeri in the Dharwad district in 1050 AD.
9. Kukanoor: One can find temples from the early Chalukyan architectures. Temples of Kalleshvara and Mallikarjuna are popular.
Navalinga temple: Navalinga temple is located at Kuknur in Yelburga taluk of koppal district around 6 km from Itagi and 40 km from Gadag. The temple got its name from the 9 lingas (idol of lord Shiva). The temple was built during the time of King Amoghavarsha I or his son Krishna II of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty. Among this structures the Mahamaya temple is very prominent.
10. Koppal fort: It is not known definitely by whom it was built. But it was acquired by Tippu Sultan in 1786 AD from a Paleyagar and rebuilt into one of the strongest forts with the help of French engineers. In may 1790, it was besieged by the forces of the British and the Nizam. Sir John Malcolm, who participated in this siege, has described it as without exception the strongest place. The fortifications consists of two forts, The upper fort is situated on a lofty and almost isolated summit in a gorge on the eastern side of a cluster of tocky hills which occupy an area of several square miles. The fort is about 400 feet above the plains.
11. Pura: Pura is noted for its fine and spacious temple of Someshwara which has Koti Lingas , where annually a big jatra(Fair) is held in the month of Shravana. It is located in Kushtagi taluk, about the five miles from Tavargera.
12. Munirabad: Located around 8 km from Hospet and 32 km from Koppal is gaining popularity due to the construction of Tungabhadra dam here. Apart from the dam one can see a Japanese ornamental garden called Pampa Vana. Its earlier name was Huligi and there is a Huligemma temple temple in the town.
13. Kanakagiri: Located in Gangavathi taluk, is an ancient place situated on the Gangavati-Lingasugur road, about 13 miles from Gangavati. Kanakagiri means a “Hill of God” and its old name was Swarnagiri with the same meaning. This place was probably the head quarters of the southern viceroyalty of the Mauryas. It is said that Kanaka Muni, a saint, performed penance at this place. The place has several temples built by the Naiks of Kanakgiri, the chief among them being the Kanakachalapathi temple, which is a large one and is of considerable architectural charm built in Vijaynagara style.